Chapter 284: I Always Win Without Defeat!!!
With Teach in place, the key piece of the plan had been "arranged perfectly," significantly increasing its feasibility.
Now that the blueprint for the operation had taken shape, the next step was to report it to the Five Elders.
At the same time, Claudius was already preparing to dig a trap for them.
A few days later, after refining his plans into official documents and submitting them, the Five Elders spent three days deliberating. Ultimately, they agreed the strategy was viable and proceeded to convene the higher-ups of the World Government.
Officials from Marine Headquarters, the CP agencies, and even certain underworld factions were summoned to Mariejois for a strategy conference aimed at finalizing the plan.
Once everything was set in motion, it would only be a matter of execution.
---
Claudius sat leisurely in the courtyard, a newspaper in hand.
There was nothing particularly important in it, just gossip and rumors. One article claimed that Red-Haired Shanks had stirred up trouble in the New World and then abandoned the mess to Whitebeard. Another absurd claim suggested that the "stingy old man" was still spending time with women, refusing to pay up.
Claudius chuckled at the ridiculousness of it.
Shanks ditching responsibilities? That sounds plausible.
But Whitebeard? That old man needs an IV just to stay alive, and they expect me to believe he's out womanizing?
Clearly, these rumors were nothing but nonsense.
As he continued reading, his Den Den Mushi suddenly rang. Claudius glanced at it before answering with a smirk.
"Well, well, if it isn't our dear young master. What's the occasion?"
"Furufurufuru~ Come on, cousin, drop the act. Do you have to call me that?"
Doflamingo's voice came through the line, his tone amused.
"Hahaha," Claudius chuckled.
The two continued exchanging small talk for a while before Claudius finally asked, "So, King of Dressrosa, what brings you to me today?"
"Well, funny you should mention Dressrosa," Doflamingo said. "Next year, the Reverie is happening.
As Dressrosa's king, I'll be heading to Mariejois for the summit.
And cousin, from what I hear… you're planning something big for that conference.
Isn't that right?"
---
The year was 1517 of the Sea Calendar.
The Reverie, held once every four years, was set to take place in 1518. Dressrosa was on the list of participating nations, and as its official, World Government-recognized king, Doflamingo would be attending.
Hearing his words, Claudius' expression became contemplative.
After a brief pause, he muttered softly, "Yes… the Reverie... That's where I'll change the entire World Government."
On the other end of the line, Doflamingo's breath hitched slightly, his excitement growing.
Like Claudius, he despised the Celestial Dragons of Mariejois—all of them, except for his cousin.
He knew Claudius' ultimate goal: to completely reshape the Celestial Dragon hierarchy.
For centuries, the descendants of the Twenty Kings had ruled, but Claudius intended to change that.
In the future, there would only be one king.
And that king… would belong to the Donquixote family.
Doflamingo knew he would never sit on that throne himself, but he didn't care. He was more than happy to see his cousin ascend to the highest seat in the world, so long as it meant watching those damned Celestial Dragons suffer.
So, with a sinister grin, Doflamingo spoke.
"Then, cousin… when the time comes, can I have those bastards for myself?"
Claudius laughed.
"Wouldn't that be a bit boring?" he mused.
"For 800 years, the people of the world have been forced to endure the oppression of the Celestial Dragons.
When the time comes, we need to give them a way to vent all that resentment, don't you think?"
Doflamingo took a deep breath, intrigued.
"What are you planning, cousin?"
Claudius' smirk widened.
"Those arrogant bastards love flaunting their nobility before the world, don't they?
Fine.
Let's make sure the whole world gets a good, long look at them."
Doflamingo's eyes lit up.
"Oh… He's planning a public display."
As Claudius said, the people's hatred had been building for centuries. If he wanted his new government to be seen as a true force of change, he needed to give them a symbolic victory—one that would make them feel the shift firsthand.
Imagine it:
The once-untouchable Celestial Dragons, dragged out in chains.
The so-called "gods" of the world, paraded through the streets before the people they had tormented.
The same people who had once been forced to kneel before them… now standing tall as their former oppressors cowered in disgrace.
Doflamingo grinned.
"Cousin… Leave that task to me."
"Ahahahaha! I was counting on it!" Claudius laughed heartily.
After their laughter died down, Doflamingo grew quiet, his tone more serious.
This was no small matter. They weren't just rebelling against the World Government, they were waging war against eight centuries of absolute power.
Even after everything he had seen, the sheer scale of Claudius' ambition was overwhelming.
And for the first time in a while… he felt uneasy.
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Cousin… are you sure about this?"
---
Claudius didn't answer right away.
Instead, he gazed at the lake before him.
The surface was calm, reflecting the sky above.
Then, suddenly, a tiny insect landed on the water, creating ripples that spread outward.
In an instant, several large fish surged to the surface, snapping at the disturbance.
A small, seemingly insignificant ripple… had thrown the entire lake into chaos.
Smiling, Claudius finally responded.
"Dover… in this world, there is no such thing as certainty.
All I can do is give it my all… and leave the rest to fate."
He paused for a moment before adding,
"But that's enough.
Eight hundred years ago, our ancestors, the Donquixote family rose from Dressrosa and reshaped the world.
Now, eight centuries later… I will lead us to the top once again."
---
"The King of the World huh?" Doflamingo chuckled.
"Yes," Claudius declared confidently. "The King of the World."
"Furafurufuru… Cousin, you never change.
Ah… but we are family.
I'll bet my life on you."
Claudius smirked. "It's not just you.
Nia. Stussy. Crocodile. Enel. Tesoro.
Thousands of people have placed their fate in my hands.
With so much at stake… do you really think I'd let them lose?"
Doflamingo didn't press any further.
He didn't need to.
After exchanging a few final words, the two brothers ended their call.
---
Claudius turned back toward the lake.
A single bug had fallen onto the water's surface.
And just like before, it sent ripples through the lake, drawing in the predators lurking beneath.
---
"Your Highness," Nia's voice came from behind. "Sengoku has arrived. The meeting with the Five Elders is about to begin.
It's time to go."
Claudius rose to his feet.
Nia stepped forward, draping a dark brown coat over his shoulders.
Claudius adjusted it slightly before smiling.
"It begins now," he murmured.
"Let's lead them onto the stage."
Nia smiled. "Wishing you victory, Your Highness."
Claudius chuckled.
"Victory?
I never lose."